What is the best temperature to vape weed?
One of the main advantages of vaping weed or hemp flowers is having control over the temperature. When you smoke, there’s nothing stopping that bud from reaching temperatures as high as 1200°F (or around 650°C).
So what is the best temperature for weeds? In this article, we will detail three main temperature ranges, highlighting their differences and advantages.
Please note that everyone’s experience may vary based on a few key factors. For example, two weed vaporizers set to the same temperature can sometimes produce a different type of vapor. In addition, each strain contains different levels of terpenes and cannabinoids, which contribute to its smell, taste and effects. These organic compounds volatilize at various temperatures and will alter the experience.
Do not you worry; you don’t need to graduate from college for this. Just use this guide and play around with different settings.
Lightly toasted (325-350°F / 163-177°C)
THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, has a boiling point of 315°F (157°C). You don’t want to go much lower than 325°F (163°C), especially if you want to really feel something. Cooler temperatures may appeal to you if you want the best flavor from your bud. It produces a fresh taste, with citrus and/or pine nuances.
The vapor will also be much cooler and less harsh on your throat, so you probably won’t cough as much. Possible side effects such as paranoia, red eyes and cotton mouth will be less severe. If you’re a wake-up call and a baker, low-temperature vaping can give you the feeling you want, without depleting your day. This is also the ideal setting for newcomers and lightweights who don’t want to get too intoxicated.
- Light euphoria, calming, invigorating
- Intense terpene flavor, fresh, citrus, piney
- Cooler vapor, less cough
- Decreased side effects (lethargy, anxiety, red eyes, dry mouth, etc.)
- Best suited for newcomers, lightweights or flavor chasers
- More suitable for doing tasks
Terpenes: A-pinene, β-caryophyllene, β-myrcene, d-limonene, citronellol
Cannabinoids: Δ8THC, Δ9THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, THCa, CBDa
G Pen Dash+
The G Pen Dash+ vaporizer had big shoes to fill, and it still managed to exceed expectations. Like the Dash before it, the Dash+ is a compact dry herb vaporizer built to maximize ease and flavor. Features include hybrid heating, a full color LED display and precise temperature control. Backed by a robust 1800 mAh battery.
Half oven (350-400°F / 177-204°C)
This is a safe place to start while you’re still experimenting with marijuana or legal CBD cannabis. In this range, you still get a lot of terpenes, but now with more access to cannabinoids. The steam is thicker and warmer. You’ll also taste more cannabinoids, which can give it a richer flavor. Warm vapor is satisfying for transitioning smokers.
The psychoactive effects will be noticeably stronger at these temperatures, especially since more THC is being volatilized. It can be relaxing and euphoric and put you in a meditative state without feeling drowsy. This temperature range is an excellent middle ground for the best of both worlds between effect and flavor.
- Relaxing, euphoric, meditative, but not sleepy
- Tasty and rich, terpenes plus cannabinoids
- Warmer vapor can be satisfying for smokers
- More THC is volatilized
- You may experience minor side effects
- Increased availability of cannabinoids
Terpenes: d-limonenes, terpinolene, linalool, humulene
Cannabinoids: Δ8THC, Δ9THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, THCa, CBDa
Fully Baked (400-430°F / 204-221°C)
For maximum cannabinoid extraction, this is the range it’s at. The vapor will be hotter and less flavorful, but you will feel the stronger psychotropic effects. This range is best suited for late-night sessions due to its ability to induce lethargy, also known as the dreaded ‘sofa lock’. Activation of the compounds THCv and humulene can suppress appetite and prolong the inevitable meals.
At these temperatures, many terpenes will be depleted quickly. If you’re a true terp connoisseur, you might want to reserve this range for the end of your sessions, for when you really want to go out. This is as close as you can get to combustion without smoking, although it can still induce coughing.
- Intense effects, strong euphoria, lethargy, “couch block”
- Maximum THC volatilization
- Hotter steam may cause coughing
- Fewer terpenes, higher cannabinoid extraction
- Activates THCv and humulene, appetite suppressants that can prolong “the munchies”
- The closest experience to smoke/combustion
Terpenes: humulene, phytol, caryophyllene oxide
Cannabinoids: Δ8 THC, Δ9THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, THCa, CBDa, THCv
These are the average boiling points of THC, CBD, and the most common terpenes and cannabinoids found in cannabis. Each organic compound has its own unique function, so you can check your strain’s profile and decide what the perfect temperature is for what you’re trying to achieve with it.
The myriad of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis have different boiling points. Here’s what you need to know in order to activate these compounds.
Cannabinoids:
- CBG: 126°F / 52°C
- THCa: 220°F / 104°C
- CBDa: 248°F / 120°C
- Δ9THC: 315°F / 157°C
- Δ8THC: 350°F / 177°C
- CBD: 356°F / 180°C
- CBN: 365°F / 185°C
- THCv: 428°F / 220°C
- CBC: 428°F / 220°C
Terpenes:
- A-Pinene: 311°F / 155°C
- β-Caryophyllene: 320°F / 165°C
- β-Myrcene: 334°F / 168°C
- Citronellol: 437°F / 225°C
- d-Limonene: 349°F / 176°C
- Eucalyptol: 349°F / 176°C
- Terpinolene: 365°F / 185°C
- Linalool: 388°F / 198°C
- Humulene: 388°F / 198°C
- Phytol: 399°F / 204°C
- Caryophyllene oxide: 495°F / 257°C
(Source: Media/MarijuanaBreak/Full)
PAX 3
The PAX quickly became the iPhone of portable weed vaporizers. Now it has more airflow, faster heat-up times and a Bluetooth app to dial in your exact temperatures. The PAX 3 is a compact and stylish all-in-one device capable of vaporizing dry herbs and herbal extracts. It’s a durable and reliable daily driver.
Find the right temperature for vaping weed
Still not sure what temperature to set your vaporizer to? It can be difficult to find the setting that works best for you. The best way to experiment is to start in the 350-400°F (177-204°C) range and then go up or down 5-10° (or 1°C) at a time. Play around a bit and eventually you’ll find the right temperature for you.
- If your grass is too wet, most of the heat will be wasted drying out your buds. Vaporizers tend to work much better and produce more vapor with dry herb. You can always let your weed aerate for a few hours or even overnight; grinding it first will speed up this process.
- Today, modern vaporizers are capable of vaping concentrates. The best temperatures for CBD dabs and concentrates will usually be higher than for dry herb. The same general principle applies: less heat = better flavor. However, if it’s too hot, you’ll lose valuable terpenes and flavor.
- Lower temperatures are more suitable for morning and daytime use, higher temperatures are more suitable for night and evening sessions.
- Generally speaking, lower temperatures favor the flavor more, while higher temperatures will give you the strongest psychoactive effects. The boiling point of THC is around 315°F (157°C), so anything lower will produce minimal psychoactive effects.
- CBD tends to boil at a slightly higher temperature than THC, so keep this in mind if you use cannabis for medicinal purposes with hemp or cannabidiol-rich strains.
- You’ll typically want to vape 10°F (or 1°C) hotter than the average boiling point of your desired terpenes and/or cannabinoids, but keep in mind that this can vary slightly with different devices or strains.
- If you’re vaping in the lower temperature range, don’t throw away your already vaped bud. If it’s greenish, or even light brown, it probably still contains valuable cannabinoids. It is also now decarboxylated, which simply means it is now primed and ready to make edibles or tea.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dave has always had a passion for helping people quit smoking. As an ex-smoker himself, he knew how difficult it could be. As soon as he learned about vaping, he became instantly obsessed and helped many people quit smoking. Vaping360 has given Dave a platform to do this on a much larger scale, educating the public on the wonders of vaping. When Dave isn’t writing, he’s listening to music, performing, or surfing his Penny board.